What VFuels does

VFuels LLC is a Houston, Texas-based modular oil and gas engineering, design, and fabrication company founded in 2013 that designs, engineers, and fabricates modular process equipment including Crude Distillation Units (CDUs), modular hydroskimming refineries, modular gas plants (amine, dehydration, refrigeration, stabilization, cryogenic, and fuel gas conditioning skids), Early Production Facilities (EPFs), and metering skids. The company serves emerging market governments, national oil companies, independent oil producers, and refinery developers across Africa (Nigeria, Angola, Liberia, Equatorial Guinea, Libya), the Middle East (Iraq), Latin America, and Asia. Notable delivered projects include the 5,000 bpd Waltersmith Ibigwe refinery in Nigeria (Phase I commissioned November 2020, Phase II expansion underway), the 10,000 bpd Monrovia refinery in Liberia (commissioned Q2 2022), and the 30,000 bpd Cabinda Refinery for Sonangol in Angola.

The underlying technology combines VFuels' proprietary modularization approach with licensed refining processes from Axens (Kerosene Sweetening / Sweeten K), UOP/Honeywell, and Haldor Topsoe, enabling module-level assembly and factory acceptance testing at controlled Houston-area facilities prior to overseas shipment. Fabrication occurs at a 120,000 sq ft Northwest Houston facility with ASME Code U & R Stamp certification and 100-ton crane capacity, and at VEnergy Park in Brookshire, Texas (opened 2021), which occupies more than 100 acres with significant lay-down and test-fit area. VFuels positions modular delivery as a 15-18 month time-to-first-barrel alternative to multi-year stick-built refinery construction at lower capital cost, with built-in scalability for phased capacity expansion.

VFuels' business model combines one-time fabricated equipment delivery with project-based professional services including pre-FEED, FEED, Detailed Design & Engineering (DD&E), business plan development, regulatory and environmental support, licensing support, and fundraising assistance for bankable feasibility studies. Recent additions include an Oil & Gas Procurement Division (March 2023) and a Specialty Chemicals Department (July 2023, with MCC Chemicals Inc.) for oilfield consumables in Nigeria, Libya, Angola, and Iraq. The company structures deal financing through US EX/IM Bank relationships, enabling qualified buyers to finance up to 7 years on 85% of US content and 30% of local content. GTM is direct enterprise field sales via Houston and Africa-based business development teams targeting project developers, national oil companies, and government entities.

Name

VFuels

Legal name

VFuels LLC

Website

https://vfuels.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

VFuels LLC is a Houston-based modular oil and gas engineering, design, and fabrication firm founded in 2013 that designs, engineers, and fabricates modular refineries, gas processing plants, and related equipment for emerging-market governments, national oil companies, and independent producers across Africa and the Middle East.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Modular Oil and Gas Process Equipment

NAICS

Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333132), Mining and Oil and Gas Field Machinery Manufacturing (33313)

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment (3533), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Oilfield Equipment Manufacturing & Supply (Wellheads, BOPs, Surface Equipment) (EUALABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distillation & Fractionation (Crude, Condensate & NGL Splitters) (EUALAGAD), Gas Processing & NGL Recovery (Dehydration, Sweetening, Cryogenic Recovery) (EUALAGAG), Oil & Gas Processing & LNG Facility Construction (IMAFADAB)

Keywords

• Modular refinery fabrication
• Oil and gas engineering
• Process equipment manufacturing
• Front-end engineering design
• Modular gas processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Modular Equipment Fabrication & Delivery: Design, engineer, and fabricate modular process equipment (refineries, gas plants, EPFs, metering skids) in Houston facilities and deliver fully assembled and tested to client sites internationally.
2. Front-End Engineering & Design (FEED): Provide pre-FEED engineering, FEED for both ISBL and OSBL refinery sections, and detailed design and engineering (DD&E) as standalone or bundled services.
3. Project Development Services: Business plans, licensing support, regulatory and legal review support, environmental support, and fundraising support for bankable feasibility studies.
4. Procurement Division: Supply of chemicals, spare parts, and specialized equipment for oil and gas drilling, stimulation, cementing, production, and refining operations across Africa and Middle East.
5. Turnkey Project Delivery: Complete modular refinery or gas processing project delivery with joint venture partners or client's EPC firm of choice, including installation and commissioning.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

VFuels designs, engineers, and fabricates modular process equipment for the oil and gas industry, including modular Crude Distillation Units (CDUs), Hydroskimming Refineries, modular Gas Plants, Early Production Facilities (EPFs), Metering Skids, and Axens-licensed Kerosene Sweetening Units. All fabrication occurs at its 120,000+ sq ft ASME U/R Stamp-certified facilities in Houston and Brookshire, Texas, and the company delivers turnkey modular energy projects — including FEED, detailed design, fabrication, shipping, installation, and commissioning — to clients in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia.

Product overview

VFuels is a full-service modular oil and gas engineering, design, and fabrication company that develops and delivers modular energy projects from concept through construction. The company specializes in manufacturing modular process equipment including Modular Crude Distillation Units (CDU), Modular Hydroskimming Refineries, Modular Gas Plants, Early Production Facilities (EPFs), and Metering Skids. All fabrication occurs in controlled conditions at VFuels' Houston, Texas facilities (120,000 sq ft facility in Northwest Houston and the 100+ acre VEnergy Park in Brookshire), with units fully assembled and tested prior to shipment. VFuels delivers complete turnkey modular refineries and gas processing projects through its integrated service offerings including Project Development (FEED, DD&E), Procurement, Project Finance support (via EX/IM Bank), and Specialty Chemicals Supply. The company partners with technology licensors including Axens, UOP/Honeywell, and Haldor Topsoe for advanced refining processes. Projects are delivered globally with focus on Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Modular Crude Distillation Units (CDU) Modular, skid-mounted Crude Distillation Units engineered and fabricated in Houston, Texas, that separate crude oil into naphtha, diesel, kerosene, and residual fuel oil; delivered as standalone units or expandable systems for independent operators and national oil companies.
• Modular Hydroskimming Refineries Modular refineries combining a Crude Distillation Unit with secondary hydrotreating and reforming to reduce sulfur content and produce Euro-5 specification gasoline, aviation fuel, kerosene, and low-sulfur diesel; sized from 5,000 to 100,000+ bpd.
• Modular Gas Plants Modular gas processing skids — Amine Plants, Dehydration Plants, Refrigeration Plants, Stabilizer Units, Cryogenic Skids, and Fuel Gas Conditioning packages — designed and fabricated for stranded, associated, flare, and pipeline gas applications.
• Early Production Facilities (EPFs) Modular skid-mounted Early Production Facilities engineered for rapid deployment to enable initial production from oil and gas fields.
• Metering Skids Modular metering skids for accurate measurement of crude oil, natural gas, and other petroleum products in refinery and gas processing operations.
• Kerosene Sweetening Units (Axens Sweeten K) Modular kerosene sweetening process units produced in partnership with Axens using the Sweeten K licensed technology to remove sulfur compounds from kerosene streams.
• Project Development Services (Pre-FEED, FEED, DD&E) Engineering services spanning Pre-FEED, Front-End Engineering & Design (FEED) for both ISBL and OSBL refinery sections, Detailed Design & Engineering (DD&E), plus business plans, licensing support, regulatory and legal review, environmental support, and fundraising support to deliver bankable feasibility studies.
• Procurement Services Sourcing and delivery of chemicals, spare parts, and specialized equipment for oil and gas clients, navigating complex operating environments in Africa and the Middle East to deliver on time and on budget.
• Project Finance Support (US EX/IM Bank) Assistance for clients in obtaining US Export-Import Bank (EX/IM) financing and bank guarantees for modular refinery and gas plant purchases, leveraging VFuels' US company status.
• Specialty Chemicals Supply Supply of specialty chemicals essential for oil & gas drilling, stimulation, cementing, production, and refining operations, sourced in partnership with MCC Chemicals Inc. for markets including Nigeria, Libya, Angola, and Iraq.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Drilling Fluid Technologies Inc. (DFT)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 November 2024Exclusive distribution agreement granting VFuels rights to purchase, market, and distribute DFT's innovative drilling fluid products across Nigeria. Partnership leverages VFuels' extensive regional expertise to bring advanced drilling fluids technology to Nigerian operators.
• African Refinery Group Ltd (ARG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2024VFuels appointed by ARG in Joint Venture Partnership with NNPCL to develop 100,000 bpd refinery collocated within existing Port Harcourt Refinery complex at Eleme, Rivers State. VFuels commenced FEED for both ISBL and OSBL sections. First phase of 60,000 bpd groundbreaking scheduled Q4 2024.
• MCC Chemicals Inc. (Texas)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 31 July 2023Strategic partnership for supplying specialty chemicals for oil & gas drilling, stimulation, cementing, production, and refining. Both companies committed to establishing blending facilities in key producing markets like Nigeria, Libya, Angola, and Iraq.
• EMCO Engineering Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2023MoU to develop water treatment facilities across Africa, initially focusing on improving water treatment systems in oil and gas infrastructure. EMCO provides advanced water treatment solutions with automation and IoT capabilities. Successfully implemented produced water treatment plant for Angola's Cabinda Refinery.
• Earth Technologies Middle East S.A.L OffshorecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2023Joint venture to develop and install renewable energy infrastructure for oil and gas assets including refineries throughout Africa. Partnership promotes sustainability, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and greenhouse gas emission reduction.
• AxenscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology licensing partner for licensed processes including kerosene sweetening (Sweeten K), hydrotreating, and reforming units. VFuels produces Axens processes in modular package configurations.
• UOP/HoneywellcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology licensing partner for additional licensed refining processes for modular package configurations.
• Haldor TopsoecoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology licensing partner for additional licensed refining processes for modular package configurations.
• Lambert Electromec LtdcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-standing EPC partner for modular refinery projects. Responsible for OSBL (infrastructure, civil works, electrical, mechanical) and site construction. Partner on Waltersmith Ibigwe refinery and Phase II expansion.
• OEC Engenharia & ConstruçãocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor for Angola's Cabinda Refinery project. VFuels supervised installation, staging of equipment, and interconnecting piping for modular skids of CDU.
• Saulsbury Industries (Odessa, Texas)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOverall EPC partner for Pecos County Refinery project's OSBL engineering and construction (Outside Battery Limits components).
• Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)majorOthersRegulatory body overseeing modular refinery licensing and compliance. Conducted site visits for Ibigwe refinery expansion Phase II. 100% track record of regulatory approvals maintained.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ventech Engineers International: US-based modular process systems fabricator serving refineries, gas processing, and petrochemical plants. Closest direct competitor to VFuels in modular CDU, hydrotreater, and skid-mounted process unit fabrication for emerging markets.
• Pietro Fiorentini: Designs and manufactures modular gas processing equipment (amine, dehydration, skid-mounted gas treatment) for oil & gas applications. Comparable on the modular gas plant side of VFuels' business with similar emerging-market exposure.
• Saulsbury Industries: US EPC contractor based in Odessa, Texas, partnered with VFuels on the Pecos County refinery OSBL. Comparable as a regional EPC peer with overlapping capabilities in modular refinery construction and US-based fabrication.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell UOP: Global refining process technology licensor and modular package provider. Comparable as a technology partner/competitor; UOP licenses refining processes that VFuels integrates and could itself deliver full modular refinery packages at larger scale.
• Axens: French refining and petrochemical process licensor that also supplies modular process units (e.g., kerosene sweetening, hydrotreating). A current VFuels licensor that could compete for full modular delivery on larger tenders.
• Technip Energies: Global EPC contractor for refining, petrochemical, and gas processing projects. Competes with VFuels on larger modular refinery tenders and brings deeper balance sheet and integrated execution capabilities.
• Saipem: Italian oil & gas EPC contractor with significant African project experience. Comparable for large refinery and gas processing EPC bids, especially in West Africa where VFuels is also active.
• JGC Holdings: Japanese EPC contractor with deep refining and LNG plant expertise and a long track record in the Middle East and Africa. Comparable for full-scale refinery project competition against VFuels' growing 100,000 bpd ambitions.

Emerging players

• Wison Engineering: Chinese EPC and modular process equipment provider active in emerging-market refining and petrochemical projects. Competes with VFuels on cost-sensitive African and Middle Eastern modular refinery tenders.

Regional players

• MMEX Resources: US-based small-scale refinery developer for which VFuels delivered the Pecos County, Texas 10,000 bpd FEED. Useful comparable for understanding project economics in VFuels' smaller-scale US/onshore pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vfuels-oil-and-gas-engineering
• Facebookfacebook.com/vfuels1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VFuels